Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-02-10

Mr.. Raleigh Hayes | belong to it,
lone of the crew | said compre-
hendingly. What is its name? / in
CURED next.
az believe your eyes are sharp
enough to find out was the somewhat
startling answer that [ received.
Ibid you say that because L looked
at you just nOw?' asked, III my usual
blunt style.
HE looked at me for a second, with
slight deepening of his color.
".You certainly can stare hard, he
answered irrelevantly, showing an
even row of white teeth in a sudden
smile.
al always do I returned, feeling
more at my ease after that smile. L
study everything and everybody come
across; and, if they are worth the trOu-
BILE, / sketch them"
"sYou are an artist?-with quick
keen glance at me. DO you sell your
picturesp
81 have sold a few; but l have only
just commenced to do that. [ am down
here to study and work hard
"'You ought to succeed he said
qIizzingly-'you lose no time
81 haven't touched q pencil yet
@'But you have been studying. Do
you think / should be useful for a
model-a saiIor-lad, or someUnng
fshy?'
Il had been wondering whether
could manage to introduce the subject
of his sitting for me in just such a
character; SO [ eagerly jumped at the
offer.
"'Would your / asked at once.
"'Here we arel' he interrupted, deft-
ly shipping his SOULS as the boat reach
ed landing-place.
"He held the boat steady with one
hand while helping me out with the
other.
"'Will you be my model?' [ asked,
pressing the subject home while he
stopped TO fasten the boat securely.
'He finished what he was doing be-
fore he got UP and said
"'Do you really wish it?'
"Should | ask you if did not wish
it?' [ responded somewhat inpatient
every WE'LL agreed he.
Il nearly clapped my hands with de-
light:
"'Aunt Prissy said l should never
find a model above mediOcrity down
herel' | said triumphantly.
''This piece of candid admiration was
received with flush and an embar-
raised laugh.
@'I ought to be grateful
"'Oh, you need not be!' interrupted
hastily. When can you sit to me?'
"'Any time you like to name
"'W1ll tomorrow morning, about ten
O'Clock, do?'
Certainly; l will be at Anchor Cot
tage at that time. For whom shall l
ask?'
"'Miss Olive Dallas. And whom
shall [ see?' Intercepted in my turn.
There was a pause-evidently my
model liked deliberation in matters
great or Small-then he answered SIM
any name is Ray
"sThank you. Don't forget your en-
gagement. Many thanks for my sea-
trip. Good morning.
"This | said as / paused by the little
white gate which led to Anchor Cot
tage, for Mr.. Ray had accompanied me
to my present habitation.
Good mOrning-er-miSs.' respond
ed Mr.. Ray; and this time he did pull
off his cap as [ went in.
L turned at the door, and looked at
the tall erect figure Striding towards
the SeaShOre. L wonder who he isY [
thought, remembering his easy bearing
and the last spontaneous piece of civil
lty. / did not believe that the Objec-
tlonable twang was natural. and the
miss seemed quite an after-thought.
"Auntie luckily had only just come
down as [ went in, SO she had no time
to grow anxious about me. [ told her
about my model, and repeated the fore
going conversation for her benefit.
"A very free-and-easy person, Sha
he VIII T h,I
rative. i am afraid. Olive, you did
not conduct yourself with sufficient
propriety.'
Now, auntie, don't!' I calculated.
You know how I object to that word.
AS if there could be any improperly in
just speaking to sailorl'
"'NOt in merely speaking to a sailor,
perhaps my mild auntie rejoined,
but in allowing such rude remarks to
be made. If those words about the
sharpness of your eyes had been adj
dressed to me, would not have spoken
another word to him.
"'Y GU would have been too much as
founded at his audacity,' [ laughed.
But he only spoke the truth. [ GER
tainly did stare hard-more than [
should have done at gentleman in the
same position. But [ was only think
ing of him as model
"'There, my dear, go away! You are
a little Bohemian! / shall see your
model tomorrow, and judge for my
SELF
"The next morning auntie and /
were both down early, and, after break
fast, / sailed forth to finish a sketch |
had commenced the day before-a lit
! tie sea-piece without anything remark
able about it--a rocky headland jutting
| out into the sea. into which / had
moved the yacht for the sake of yarie-
| ty. i had been working diligently all
the morning, and my picture was near
| ly finished, when, as [ was studying the
rigging of the yacht, saw boat leave
| her side and make toward the shore.
L wonder if my model is in it?' [
thought, watching it a moment, and
then hurried on with my sketch, for it
was nearly ten. But alas for my chance
of a sale! L had put in few more
| touches, when suddenly a large re-
trieyer came rushing by, and in his
awkward gambols involved easel and
paints in destruction.
Il jumped up with an exclamation of
annoyance, and the frolicSome dog. re-
gardless of the ruin he had wrought
darted away again, and barked at the